Vapor-burner.



E. M. BYERS.

VAPOR BURNER.

APPLICATION FILED DEO.19, 1908.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EMERY M. BYERS, OF BELVIDERE, ILLINOIS.

VAPOR-BURNER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EMERY M. BYERs, a citizen of the United States,residing at Belvidere, in the county of Boone and State of Illinois,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vapor-Burners, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in vapor burners, and the primaryobject of the same is to provide an improved generator and burner ofthis character for vaporizing and burning hydro-carbon oils, and moreparticularly kerosene.

A further object is to provide improved means for overcoming orpreventing the blowing or fluctuation of the flame normally present whenkerosene is used as a vapor generating medium.

A further object is to provide improved means for automaticallycontrolling the supply of vapor to the burner for maintaining a uniformflame.

A further object is to provide an improved burner of this characterwhich will be simple, durable and cheap in construction, eflicient inoperation, and readily cleaned.

To the attainment of these ends and the accomplishment of other new anduseful objects, as will appear, the invention consists in the featuresof novelty in the construction, combination and arrangement of partshereinafter more fully described and claimed, and shown in theaccompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment of the invention, inwhich Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an improved burner ofthis character constructed in accordance with the principles of thisinvention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of Fig. 1, showing the lifting bailof the outer shell or jacket folded with respect to the shell. Fig. 3 isa detail sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, and in the presenteXempliflcation of the invention, the vapor burner is provided with anannular member 10 forming the base thereof. This member is provided withspaced circumferential flanges 11, 12, which project upwardly therefromto form an an nular space preferably adapted to receive a wick 13 madeof asbestos or other suitable non-combustible material. Said wickprojects but a short distance above the upper edges of the flanges 11,12, and is used in Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 19, 1908.

Patented July 19, 1910. Serial No. 468,273.

the preferred embodiment of this invention merely for starting theaction of the generator, becoming extinguished as soon as the pressureof the vapor in the vapor chamber becomes suflicient to cut off thesupply of oil to said wick 13.

The annular member 10 is provided with a plurality of spaced arms 14,which latter are cored or hollowed out, as at 15, shown more clearly inFig. 1 of the drawings to form fluid passages which connect with thespace between the flanges 11 and 12. The fluid passages thus formed areso arranged that a portion of the wick 13 will project over the outerends of the passages. A tubular member 16 depends from and is supportedby the arms 14, preferably adjacent the diametric center of the annularmember, and this tubular member has communication with the fluid passage15, and the supply pipe 17 has communication with the tubular member 16,so as to provide means for supplying kerosene from any suitable sourceof supply to the tubular member 16, and from whence the fluid passesinto the fluid passages 15 in the arms 14 and the base of the wick 13.

Supported by the arms 14, preferably above the tubular member 16, andhaving communication with the fluid passages 15 of the arms, is atubular projecting portion 18, which is preferably provided withinternal screw threads. A vapor chamber 19, preferably of a tubular formis provided with screw threaded connection with the internally threadedprojection 18. Said vapor chamber is provided with an open end 20immediately over the generator 16, in such manner as to place it incommunication with the fluid passages 15, and to receive the vapor fromthe generator 16.

Supported by the vapor chamber 19 is a shell or casing 21 the upper end22 of which is adjacent the upper end of the vapor chamber, and providedwith a plurality of perforations 25 arranged around said vapor chamber.The shell or casing 21 is of a diameter somewhat larger than thediameter of the vapor chamber 19 and slightly less than the diameter ofthe space within the flange 12 of the annular member 10, so that whenthe vapor chamber 19 is in position, the open end of the shell or casing21 will stand within the flange 12 and rest upon. the arms 14. Saidshell or casing 21 is provided with a plurality of perforations, eitherby constructing it of any suitable reticulated material, or byconstructing it of metal provided with apertures or openings 23 passingthrough the wall thereof.

The vapor chamber 19 is provided with apertures or openings 24 whichpass through the wall thereof near the upper end and immediately belowthe perforations 25 in the end 22 of the shell or casing 21. By thismeans a circle of jets is provided under the inner annular portion ofthe superheating storage chamber to be presently described. One end 26of the vapor chamber projects beyond the closed end 22 of the shell orcasing 21, which detachably connects with the superheating storagechamber, preferably by screw-threaded connection, said superheatingstorage chamber being gener ally designated by the reference numeral 27.Said superheating storage chamber comprises an annular chamber 28,preferably of a diameter substantially equal to the shell or casing 21,and a central hub portion embodying a downwardly projecting tubularportion 29 which tubular portion 29 is provided with the above mentionedscrewthreaded connection with the extremity 26 of the vapor chamber. Thesuperheating storage chamber 27 will thus be a closed chamber havingcommunication with the vapor chamber 19. Intermediately of the centralhub portion and the annular chamber 28 said storage chamber 27 isprovided with suitable passages or openings 30 through the top andbottom walls thereof for flame and hot gases, thus providing anincreased surface for the superheater.

The vapor chamber 19 including the superheating portion 27 constitutesmeans for storing any vapor which may be generated in excess of thatwhich can escape through the openings 24. It will be evident that when,as may readily occur, under certain conditions, the vapor is generatedfaster than it is consumed in the combustion chamber, the pressure inthe vapor chamber will rise and drive the fluid back in the generator,thereby lessening the generation of vapor in the well known manner.\Vith this improved construction, however, it will be apparent that byproviding a superheating storage chamber 27 which greatly increases theexpansion of the vapor, the automatic control caused by the backpressure resulting from the vapor expansion will be greatly enhanced andthe control will be much improved over the ordinary burners. At the sametime the superheating storage chamber 27, by reason of its large heatingsurface and by reason of its direct metallic connection with thegenerator 16, is adapted to maintain the generator 16 in a highly heatedcondition. It will thus be seen that as soon as a drop in the excesspressure within the vapor chamber occurs, the action of the generatorwill immediately proceed in a vigorous manner.

The burner may be supported for use in any desired or suitable manner,preferably by means of the annular member 10 resting upon a suitablesupport 32, and may be held against displacement by any suitablefastening device, such as bolts 33 passing through the annular memberand the support.

The outer shell or casing 34L is provided of a diameter somewhat greaterthan the diameter of the outer flange 11 of the annular member, and isadapted to surround the flange and rest upon the annular member 10. Thisouter shell or casing 3 1 is Jreferably of a height to terminatesubstantially flush with the top of the superheater 27, and may beconstructed of any desired reticulated material, or of heavy materialprovided with a plurality of apertures 35. The upper end of the outershell is open to permit the prod-- nets of combustion to passtherethrough, and this shell or casing is adapted to confine theproducts of combustion within the same and to permit sufiicient air topass through the openings to permit a ready combustion of the vapor.

If desired, a suitable bail or handle 36 may be provided pivotallyconnected to the outer shell or casing to serve as a means fortransporting the outer shell. lVhen in use, the bail or handle may beraised to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, and when not inuse will rest against the outer wall of the outer shell, as shown moreclearly in Fig. 2.

With this improved construction, the liquid kerosene will be suppliedthrough the pipe 17, and by way of the passages 15 in the arms let, tothe annular chamber between the flanges 11, 12, to be absorbed by thewick 13. The wick 13 is now lighted to heat the generator until thegeneration of vapor reaches that point at which the rise of oil into theducts 15 is prevented by the pressure of the vapor in the vapor chamber.From this time on the oil becomes vaporized before it rises above theupper end of the tubular member 16. lVhile the liquid is be ingvaporized from the top of the wick 13, it will pass upwardly between theshells or casings 21, 3t, air being admitted through the openings 23, 35of said shells or casings 21, 34, thus providing for thoroughcombustion. The products of combustion will then be directed against thesuper-heater 27, and will also fill the space between the superheaterand the perforated end 22 of the shell or casing 21. A portion of theproducts of combustion will pass upwardly through the openings 30 andanother portion will pass around the periphery of the super-heater.

As soon as the generation of vapor be comes rapid enough, to generatevapor sufiicient to prevent the kerosene rising above the upper end ofthe generator 16, the wick 18, according to this embodiment, will become extinguished, after which the greater portion of the vapor consumedwill pass through the apertures or openings 24 into the inner shell orcasing 21, which, by reason of its lower open end for the free admissionof air from the outside, is adapted to perform the functions of a mixingcham ber. By reason of this construction the vapor will be caused toflow through the perforations 24 with considerable velocity, in suchmanner as to produce a thorough mixture with the air in said airchamber. The mixture thus produced will flow from the apertures 23 inthe casing 21 and through the apertures 25 in the top of said casing,the inner ring of vapor through the apertures 25 being for the purposeof raising the temperature of the inner hub portion of the super-heater27. Any excess of vapor received by the vapor chamber 19 from thegenerator 16 above that which passes through the perforations 24 willcause a rise in pressure within the vapor chamber 19 and superheater 27,and consequent compression of the gas therein. Said superheater 27 will,therefore, serve the functions of a storage chamher for compressedvapor. When a drop in pressure occurs the compressed vapor in vaporchamber 19 and superheater 27 will expand and be passed through theopenings 24 for consumption in the manner already pointed out.

With this improved burner, the oil will be completely vaporized andconverted into a fixed vapor, while at the same time obviat ing the odorof the kerosene and the roaring sound usually attending the operation ofburners of this character.

What I claim is:

1. In a vapor burner, the combination of a generator, a combustionchamber having communication with the generator, a vapor chamberarranged above the generator, said vapor chamber being provided with asuperheating storage portion for excess vapor generated, saidsuper-heating portion adaptmg the vapor chamber to raise the pressure ofthe stored vapor.

2. In a vapor burner, the combination of a generator, a vapor chamberhaving com munication with the generator for receiving the vaportherefrom, and a closed superheater arranged above the vapor chamber andopening into said vapor chamber, said super-heater receiving a portionof the vapor generated, a combustion chamber extending around said vaporchamber and superheater, said combustion chamber being in communicationwith said generator.

3. In a vapor burner, the combination of a generator and combustionchamber, a vapor chamber above the generator and within the combustionchamber and having communication with the combustion chamber, and aclosed super-heater within the combustion chamber and havingcommunication with the upper end of the vapor chamber, said superheaterbeing adapted to expand the stored vapor to increase the pressure of thevapor in said vapor chamber and super heater.

4. In a vapor burner, the combination of a generator, a combustionchamber having communication with the generator, a vapor chamber abovethe generator and having communication therewith, a mixing chamberinterposed between said vapor and combustion chambers and havingcommunication with each, and means connected with the va por chamber forreceiving and storing a portion of the vapor from said vapor chamher.

5. In a vapor burner, the combination of a generator, a combustionchamber, a mixing chamber having communication with the combustionchamber, a vapor chamber within the mixing chamber and havingcommunication therewith, said vapor chamber also having communicationwith the generator, and means connected wit-h the vapor chamber forreceiving and storing a portion of the vapor from the vapor chamber,said storing means being exposed to the heat of the burning vapors inthe combustion chamber.

6. In a vapor burner, the combination of a generator, a combustionchamber having communication with the generator, a vapor chamber withinthe combustion chamber and having communication therewith, and a closedstorage chamber having communication with the vapor chamber forreceiving and storing a port-ion of the vapor generated.

7 In a vapor burner, the combination of a generator, a combustionchamber having communication with the generator, a vapor chamber withinthe combustion chamber and provided with an outlet, and a closedsuperheating storage chamber communicating with the vapor chamber beyondthe outlet of the vapor chamber, said storage chamber being adapted toact as a reservoir for excess vapor generated.

8. In a vapor burner, the combination of a generator, a vapor chamberhaving communication with the generator, a mixing chamber surroundingand having communication with the vapor chamber, and a combustionchamber surrounding the vapor and mixing chambers and havingcommunication with said generator and mixing chamber.

9. In a vapor burner, the combination of a generator, a vapor chamberhaving communication therewith, a mixing chamber surrounding the vaporchamber and having communication therewith, said mixing chamber beingopen to the atmosphere at one end and provided with a reticulated wall,a reticulated shell surrounding and spaced from the wall of said mixingchamber to form therewith a combustion chamber, and means connected withthe vapor chamber for collecting and storing a portion of the vapor,said means being mounted Within the com bustion chamber to heat thestored vapor.

10. In a vapor burner, the combination of a generator, a vapor chamberhaving communication therewith, a mixing chamber surrounding the vaporchamber and having communication therewith, said mixing chamber havingcommunication with the atmos phere at one end and provided with areticulated wall, a reticulated shell surrounding and spaced from themixing chamber to form therewith a combustion chamber, a fluid passagefrom the generator to the combustion chamber, a wick disposed betweensaid shell and the wall of said mixing chamber and adapted to receivefluid from the generator for initially heating the generator, and aclosed super-heating storage chamber connected with the vapor chamberfor collecting and storing a portion of the vapor, said storage chamberbeing exposed to the heat from the combustion chamber.

11. In a vapor burner, the combination of a generator, a vapor chamberarranged above and having communication therewith, a mixing chambersurrounding the vapor chamber and having communication with said vaporchamber, said mixing chamber being open at one end and provided with areticulated wall, a reticulated shell surrounding and spaced from themixing chamber to form therewith a combustion chamber, a fluid passagebetween said generator and combustion chamber, and a super-heatingchamber having communication with the vapor chamber for receiving andstoring a portion of the vapor from the vapor generator, said reservoirbeing within said shell.

12. In a vapor burner, the combination with a base member comprising agenerator and provided with fluid passages extending therefrom, of avapor chamber opening at its lower end into the generator and projectingupwardly over said generator, a cylindrical perforated wall surroundingsaid vapor chamber and spaced therefrom to form a mixing chamber openingat its lower end into the atmosphere, and an outer cylindrical wallspaced from the wall of the mixing chamber to provide a combustionchamber, said fluid passages being in communication with the lower endof the combustion chamber.

13. In a vapor burner, the combination with a base member comprising agenerator 4 and provided with radial fluid passages extending therefrom,of a vapor chamber opening at its lower end into the generator andprojecting upwardly over said generator, a closed super-heating storagechamber above and having open communication with said vapor chamber, amixing chamber surrounding said vapor chamber and provided with

